Structural skid and pedestal

ABSTRACT

A skid with an upstanding pedestal is integrally molded of foam material for use in mounting a filter tank on the pedestal with related components such as a pump or separation tank on the skid. The bottom of the skid is provided with ribs extending in various directions for strength, stability and resistance to torsion. The upstanding pedestal has a frusto-conical side wall with a concave dish-shaped closure supported from the top of the wall with a peripheral ledge at the upper end of the wall to support a tank and a horizontal ledge extending from the center of the closure to the exterior of the wall where it meets an indentation extending up the side of the wall, permitting access to an underside of a tank. Means is provided for fastening components such as a pump and separation tank to the top of the skid. The pedestal portion may optionally be made separate from the skid.

ll: States owley et al.

atent 1 [451 May 20, 1975 1 1 STRUCTURAL SKID AND PEDESTAL [73] Assignee: Swimquip Division Weil-McLain Company, Inc., El Monte, Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 386,053

52 US. (:1 ..248/l46; 108/25 51 11m. Cl. ..A47g 23/02 58 Field ofSearch ..248/146-150,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,784,577 3/1957 Beaham 248/146 3,667,079 6/1972 Hagglund 108/25 X Primary Examiner.lames C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmD. Gordon Angus; Donald D. Mon

[57] ABSTRACT A skid with an upstanding pedestal is integrally molded of foam material for use in mounting a filter tank on the pedestal with related components such as a pump or separation tank on the skid. The bottom of the skid is provided with ribs extending in various directions for strength, stability and resistance to torsion. The upstanding pedestal has a frusto-conical side wall with a concave dish-shaped closure supported from the top of the wall with a peripheral ledge at the upper end of the wall to support a tank and a horizontal ledge extending from the center of the closure to the exterior of the wall where it meets an indentation extending up the side of the wall, permitting access to an underside of a tank. Means is provided for fastening components such as a pump and separation tank to the top of the skid. The pedestal portion may optionally be made separate from the skid.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEU mwzomzs SHEET 3 0F 3 STRUCTURAL SKID AND PEDESTAL This invention relates to means for mounting a filter tank or related equipment and more particularly to a skid and pedestal structure for mounting a filter tank and related equipment such as a pump. particularly for use in connection with swimming pools.

In connection with swimming pool installations it is the usual practice to provide a'filter and a pump by which water from the pool is pumped through the filter and then returned to the pool. It is also sometimes a practice to provide in conjunction with such components a separation tank for use in cleaning the filter by backwashing into the separation tank. In many instances, such pumping and filtering and separation equipment are placed on or at the deck of the pool. It is often desirable for reasons of convenience, ease of installation and space requirements to mount such components as a unit on a single platform or the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight yet strong structure on which the componcnts can be easily and conveniently mounted and which will not be subject to rusting by which the pool deck could be stained.

A related object is to provide such a structure which may be made by injection molding of a foam material.

The invention is carried out by provision of a skid having a pedestal for mounting such a filter tank, which can be easily produced by injection molding of-a foamed plastic material. The skid with its pedestal are in the form of a platform from which the pedestal extends upwardly as a unitary part of the skid. The underside of'that part ofthe skid which is not occupied by the pedestal is provided with ribs extending at different angles'to each other for provision of strength, rigidity. and

resistance to torsion so that the skid can be readily moved with the components attached to it.

The pedestal is formed in a shape adapted to receive a filter tank of a type having a curved bottom portion such as spherical or other surface of revolution. For this purpose, the pedestal is provided with an upstanding hollow wall which converges upwardly and is provided at its upper end with a ledge means on which the tank may rest. It is preferably provided with a concave dished portion looking downwardly.

A preferred feature resides in the provision of an indentation extending up a side of the wall to facilitate the attachment of fittings or conduits to the filter tank.

Another feature includes means for fastening the filter tank to the pedestal and also for attaching related component equipment, such as the pump or separation tank to the skid.

The pedestal may be made as s part separate from the skid, if desired. in which case it can support a tank, leaving other related equipment to be separately supported.

The skid and pedestal are easily molded of foam plastic which is lightweight and can be made strong and rigid.

The foregoing and other features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. I is a plan view of a skid with a pedestal according to this invention;

FIG. 2 shows the bottom of the skid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the skid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a pedestal according to this invention;

2 FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the pedestal of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 there is shown a skid in the form ofa horizontal platform 11 having a pedestal 12 at one end. The platform 11 comprises a portion lla having an upper flat surface and a portion 11b which forms a base for the pedestal. The pedestal rises from the base portion III), the upper surface of which is somewhat below the level of the upper surface of portion 11a.

The underside of section llla is provided with depending ribs (FIG. 2) comprising a plurality of parallel ribs 13 extending lengthwise of the skid, and a number of other parallel ribs 14 extending transversely across the skid and intersecting the ribs 13, and a number of other ribs 15 extending diagonally in one direction and also a number of other ribs 16 extending diagonally in a different direction. The effect of this rib structure formed integrally with the skid and with the section 111) is to provide a skid which is strong and resistant to bending and torsional forces.

The upstanding pedestal l2. rises from the skid section 11h located at its base. Section 11!) has its lower surface at the same horizontal level as the lower surfaces of all the ribs 13 through 16. The pedestal comprises an outer wall 17 having two opposite frustoconical sections 18a and 18h the larger ends of which are at the base and the smaller ends at the top. The sections 18a and 18b are joined by inwardly curved wall sections 19a and 19b converging upwardly and completing the wall. These curved wall sections 19a and 19b constitute indentations extending up sides of the wall opposite to each other, from the bottom to the top of the wall as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the indentation 19a being adjacent the platform section 110.

The pedestal is provided with an inner wall 20 spaced inwardly from the outer wall 17 and conforming substantially with the shape of the outer wall to maintain the spacing.

At the top of the wall sections 18a and 18b there are provided sections 2111 and 21b respectively, shaped as parts of an annulus and extending inwardly and downwardly from the tops of the respective outer wall sections 18a and 18b. The actual conformations of these sections 21a and 2117 are as parts of a surface of revolution such as a sphere or ellipsoid or the like to conform with the dimensions and shape of the bottom of a tank to be rested on them. From the lower edges of sections 21a and 21b narrow flat sections 22a and 22b respectively, extend horizontally inwardly, these being adapted to support corresponding parts at the bottom of the tank. At the inner edges of sections 22a and 2212 there is formed a dish portion 23 which may be a portion ofa sphere or some more or less similar shape consistent with the shape of the bottom of a tank to be rested on the pedestal. Extending inwardly from the top of wall section 190 there is formed a flat horizontal ledge 24 which meets the dish portion 23 and becomes flush with it at a point 25 at the center of the dish. The horizontal ledge 24 meets the identation at a position intermediate the top and bottom of the wall and is adapted to accommodate parts at the underside of the tank.

There are provided four holes 26 at corners of the pedestal base section 1117 preferably surrounded by slightly raised collar portions 27 for the protrusion of bolts or upstanding studs from a cement or other surface on which the skid is to be fastened. A gole 28 is also formed at the opposite end of the skid section 11 from the pedestal for a similar fastening means. There are formed through the wall of the dish portion 23 of the pedestal three elongated holes 29 through which fastening'studs or the like may be inserted from the tank which is to be secured in place on the pedestal.

A number of nuts 30 are molded into the top surface of the skid at convenient places depending on the particular component equipment desired to mount to cooperate with the tank to be mounted on the pedestal.

The material of the skid is preferably a plastic foam such as polyethylene molded to provide the unitary structure comprising both the skid and its pedestal. This is very lightweight and can be made adequately strong.

It may sometimes be desirable to use only a pedestal in circumstances where it is desired to support a tank, such as a filter tank, but not related components such as a pump or separation tank. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a pedestal without incorporating it into a skid. This comprises a base portion 110 which is similar to the pedestal portion 11b in FIG. 1 but does not contain the remainder of the skid 11a of FIG. 1. The pedestal built up from base llc is similar to the pedestal of FIG. 1 and like parts are given the same identifying numerals.

It will be recognized that by this invention there is provided a skid which is structurally strong and relatively lightweight, which can be integrally molded of foam plastic, and which can be used to mount equipment of various kinds and in various positions. Furthermore, the skid and pedestal have great versatility of use in the mounting of various combinations of equipment. For example, the pedestal can accept a stainless steel or fiberglass molded filter tank with the skid having the capability of accepting a pump on the left hand side, right hand side, or transverse, relative to the skid. In addition, the skid can include a separation tank such as a stainless steel or fiberglass tank for use during backwashing of the filter. Moreover, the pedestal portion of the skid can accept either a metallic such as stainless steel tank attahced by bolts and nuts, or a fiberglass molded tank attached by an adhesive to the pedestal and this may be accompanied by combinations of pump and/or separation tank noted above.

The pedestal may be an integral part of the skid as described above, or on the other hand, a separate entity for supporting a stainless steel tank or a fiberglass molded tank.

The ability to mold inserts integrally with the skid can provide combinations of holding means for various pieces of equipment, particularly, a pump and separation tank.

The integrally molded support ribs provide torsional stability to the flat portion of the skid making it rigid for handling purposes.

It will be understood that the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein are given by way of illustration and not of limitation, and that modifications or equivalents or alternatives within the scope of the invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A skid for supporting a filter tank and related equipment comprising an integrally formed platform and pedestal, the platform having a flat upper surface and a ribbed under surface, the pedestal being at an end of the platform and comprising an upstanding hollow frusto-conical wall, open at the bottom and having a horizontal base supporting the lower end of said wall, a concave dish-shaped closure supported from the top of said wall, a horizontal ledge at a position intermediate the top and bottom of the wall and extending from a central area of the closure to a position at the exterior of a part of said wall adjacent the platform, a peripheral ledge formed at the top of said wall adapted to support the tank and an indentation extending up said part of said wall adjacent the platform from a position near the bottom of said wall to the top of said wall and meeting said horizontal ledge, to permit access to an underside of an overhang of the tank.

2. A skid according to claim 1 in which at least some of the ribs extend in a direction intersecting other of the ribs.

3. A skid according to claim 1 in which there is a second indentation extending up the frusto-conical wall from a position near the bottom of said wall to the top of said wall, at a part of said wall opposite that of the first-mentioned indentation.

4. A skid according to claim 1 in which means are provided at the concave dish to fasten the tank.

5. A skid according to claim 1 in which the platform contains means for fastening equipment related to the tank.

6. A skid according to claim 1 made ofa plastic foam.

7. A pedestal for supporting a tank, comprising a base, an upstanding hollow frusto-conical wall, open at the bottom and having a horizontal base supporting the lower end of said wall, a concave dish-shaped closure supported from the top of said wall, a horizontal ledge at a position intermediate the top and bottom of the wall and extending from a central area of the closure to a position at the exterior of a part of said wall, a peripheral ledge formed at the upper end of said wall adapted to support a tank and an indentation e. tending up said part of said wall from a position near the bottom of said wall to the top of said wall and meeting said horizontal ledge, to permit access to an underside of an overhang of the tank.

8. A pedestal according to claim 7, in which there is a second indentation extending up the frusto-conical wall at a part of said wall opposite that of the firstmentioned indentation.

9. A pedestal according to claim 7, made of a plastic UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,884,440 Dated May 2O 1975 Inventor(s) WILLIAM N. ROWLEY ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

[75] Inventors: "Kirish" should read --Kirsch-- Col. 2, line 69 "gole" should read --ho1e-- Col. 3, line 41 "attahced" should read --attached-- Signed and Scaled this A trest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner oj'Patents and Trademarks 

1. A skid for supporting a filter tank and related equipment comprising an integrally formed platform and pedestal, the platform having a flat upper surface and a ribbed under surface, the pedestal being at an end of the platform and comprising an upstanding hollow frusto-conical wall, open at the bottom and having a horizontal base supporting the lower end of said wall, a concave dish-shaped closure supported from the Top of said wall, a horizontal ledge at a position intermediate the top and bottom of the wall and extending from a central area of the closure to a position at the exterior of a part of said wall adjacent the platform, a peripheral ledge formed at the top of said wall adapted to support the tank and an indentation extending up said part of said wall adjacent the platform from a position near the bottom of said wall to the top of said wall and meeting said horizontal ledge, to permit access to an underside of an overhang of the tank.
 2. A skid according to claim 1 in which at least some of the ribs extend in a direction intersecting other of the ribs.
 3. A skid according to claim 1 in which there is a second indentation extending up the frusto-conical wall from a position near the bottom of said wall to the top of said wall, at a part of said wall opposite that of the first-mentioned indentation.
 4. A skid according to claim 1 in which means are provided at the concave dish to fasten the tank.
 5. A skid according to claim 1 in which the platform contains means for fastening equipment related to the tank.
 6. A skid according to claim 1 made of a plastic foam.
 7. A pedestal for supporting a tank, comprising a base, an upstanding hollow frusto-conical wall, open at the bottom and having a horizontal base supporting the lower end of said wall, a concave dish-shaped closure supported from the top of said wall, a horizontal ledge at a position intermediate the top and bottom of the wall and extending from a central area of the closure to a position at the exterior of a part of said wall, a peripheral ledge formed at the upper end of said wall adapted to support a tank and an indentation extending up said part of said wall from a position near the bottom of said wall to the top of said wall and meeting said horizontal ledge, to permit access to an underside of an overhang of the tank.
 8. A pedestal according to claim 7, in which there is a second indentation extending up the frusto-conical wall at a part of said wall opposite that of the first-mentioned indentation.
 9. A pedestal according to claim 7, made of a plastic foam. 